Support for panel element

ABSTRACT

Support for a panel element for fastening the element at a specific angle relative to a base or for fastening non-flat elements having an inner profile ( 20 ) and an outer profile ( 10 ), wherein one of the profiles comprises a fastening foot ( 40 ) and the other profile comprises a mounting head ( 30 ), wherein the profiles, which mesh together, extend in the axial direction between the fastening foot and the mounting head such that the distance between the fastening foot and the mounting head is determined through the length of engagement of the inner profile into the outer profile and such that the length of engagement is adjustable. Connected to the inner profile and the outer profile are means for adjusting and fixing the length of engagement of the inner profile into the outer profile. According to the invention, the mounting head or the fastening foot comprises a hinge that can move in a plane that is not perpendicular to the axial direction, said hinge comprising a hinge head ( 32 ) and a hinge socket ( 33 ), wherein the hinge head and/or the hinge socket comprises at least one friction surface in the form of a circular cylindrical segment.

The present invention relates to a mounting for panelling elements or a panelling element sub-structure. The present invention relates in particular to a mounting including an inner profile, which is mounted in an outer profile so as to be rotationally stationary, radially fixed and axially movable with respect to it, wherein one of the profiles includes a fastening foot and the other profile includes a mounting head, wherein the profiles which engage within one another extend in the axial direction between the fastening foot and the mounting head such that the distance between the fastening foot and the mounting head is determined by the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile, wherein connected to the inner profile and to the outer profile there are means for adjusting and fixing the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile.

Known mountings of the type referred to above are mountings with only one degree of freedom, that is to say a translational degree of freedom, i.e. only the length of such mountings is adjustable. Only those elements which extend parallel to a sub-structure can therefore be rapidly and economically connected to it with such mountings. Such a mounting is described, for instance, in subsequently published European patent application no. 07120823.5.

However, if elements are to be connected to a sub-structure at a predetermined angle or if the elements to be connected are not flat, a connection with the known mountings is not readily possible. Time consuming and thus cost-intensive preliminary work is instead necessary.

Starting from the known state of the art, it is the object of the invention to provide an economical mounting, with which elements which are not flat or which do not extend parallel to a sub-structure can be rapidly and simply connected to it.

This object is solved in accordance with the invention by a mounting with the features of claim 1.

The mounting referred to above is characterised in accordance with the invention in that the mounting head or the fastening foot includes at least one joint, which has a joint head and a joint socket, wherein the joint head and/or the joint socket has at least one sliding surface in the form of a circular cylindrical segment.

As a result of the at least one joint, a further degree of freedom is imparted to the mounting head or the fastening foot so that it is possible with the mounting in accordance with the invention to fasten flat elements in a simple manner to a substructure at a predetermined angle to it. It is further possible with the mounting in accordance with the invention, particularly with panelling elements of large area, to compensate for irregularities in the substructure since the mounting is on the one hand of adjustable length and on the other hand provides a rotary or swinging axis.

As regards the construction of the at least one joint, one is not tied to the arrangement of the joint head or the joint socket within the fastening foot or the mounting head. Depending on the construction of the joint head and the corresponding joint socket, they can be arranged in the mounting such that either the joint head or the joint socket is fixed to one of the profiles.

The mounting is always so installed that it is fixed by means of the fastening foot to the substrate and the element is fixed to the mounting head, whereby in order to fasten an element a plurality of mountings is commonly used.

In order to broaden the possible uses of the mounting, it is preferred that the mounting head and the fastening foot include at least one joint which is movable in a plane and which includes a respective joint head and a joint socket, whereby the joint heads and/or the joint sockets have at least one sliding surface in the form of at least one circular cylindrical element. The mounting constructed in this manner has an additional degree of freedom, i.e. a total of three degrees of freedom, namely one translational and two rotational. It is also possible with such a mounting to fasten irregularly concave or convex or completely uneven elements to a substructure rapidly and without preparatory work. Indeed, it would also be possible with appropriate alignment of the mountings to fasten regularly concave or convex elements to a substructure with mountings with only one joint but the mounting would then have to be attached to the substrate in a precisely previously calculated position in order for it to be possible to produce the element/mounting head connection. This can lead to problems in the force distribution on the mountings since they cannot be uniformly attached having regard to the centre of gravity of the element.

One is also not tied to a predetermined arrangement of the joint heads or the joint sockets when using two joints. Thus it is, for instance, possible that the joint head is fixed to a profile both at the mounting head and also the fastening foot. It is, however, also possible that with the mounting head the joint socket is fixed to a profile and with the fastening foot the joint head is fixed to a profile.

The at least one joint of the joint head is preferably designed such that the joint head is slightly laterally movable in the joint socket in order to compensate for potential inaccuracies in the installation positions of the elements. In order to prevent movement after installation, the joint head can then be adjusted after installation. If a plurality of joints is used per mounting, it is preferred in certain areas of application, for instance when only one element is fastened by means of a plurality of joints, that at least one joint head is not laterally movable, i.e. this acts during installation as a fixed point whilst the other joints act as sliding points.

In order to further increase the possibilities of usage, the mounting head has on at least one side edge a guide means, in which at least one mounting head extension is movably mounted by means of a formation, whereby the mounting head extension includes at least one joint, which has a joint head and a joint socket, whereby the joint head and/or the joint socket has at least one sliding surface in the form of a circular cylindrical segment. When a mounting head is referred to below, this always also includes the combination of a mounting head and mounting head extension(s).

It is possible with a mounting constructed in this manner to use it, for instance, at an intersection point of a plurality of panelling elements to be connected. Depending on the arrangement of the panelling elements, the actual mounting head can, for instance, include two joints and two mounting head extensions with, for instance, a respective joint can be connected to the mounting head so that a total of four installation points are available. In another arrangement of the panelling elements, four mounting head extensions, for instance, can each be provided with a joint so that the mounting head has four joints.

In a preferred embodiment, the joint head and the corresponding joint socket of the at least one joint each have a sliding surface in the form of a circular cylindrical segment, whereby the longitudinal rotary axes of the circular cylinders (the axes extending through the length of the circular cylinder) corresponding to the circular cylindrical segments coincide and intersect the longitudinal axis of the mounting or extend orthogonally to it. The joint or joints in this embodiment thus function like a hinge joint, whereby the joint head or heads represent a portion of a barrel conventional in hinge joints.

The joint head of the at least one joint has a hollow circular cylindrical segment in an alternative embodiment with an inner and an outer sliding surface. The joint socket of the at least one joint is of corresponding construction, i.e. such that a hollow circular cylindrical segment can be introduced into it and guided in it. In order to ensure or simplify introduction of the hollow circular cylindrical element into the joint socket, the joint socket can be open at at least one end face so that the joint head can be slid into the joint socket from the end surface.

The joint socket can simply be of complementary construction, that is to say with two sliding surfaces extending at a predetermined distance from one another and matched to the hollow circular cylindrical segment. The socket can also be constituted by a plurality of sliding surfaces at the inner and outer sliding surface of the hollow circular cylindrical segment, whereby each of the sliding surface segments of the joint socket is appropriately matched to the hollow circular cylindrical segment. The sliding surfaces of the joint socket can further also be provided by a plurality of sliding points or sliding lines, which are so arranged that the inner and the outer sliding surface of the hollow circular cylindrical segment is appropriately guided.

In this construction of the joint, it is, however, disadvantageous that the centre point of the joint head also performs translational movement during a rotational movement since the longitudinal rotational axis of the hollow circular cylinder (the axis extending through the length of the circular cylinder), corresponding to the hollow circular cylindrical segment, does not intersect the central longitudinal axis of the mounting.

The hollow circular cylindrical segment is therefore preferably constructed such that the rotational axis of the corresponding hollow circular cylinder intersects the central longitudinal axis of the mounting or extends orthogonally to it. In such a case, the joint functions like a hinge joint, whereby the joint head constructed in conventional hinge joints as a barrel is constituted by the hollow circular cylindrical segment.

The hollow circular cylindrical segment can be continuous at its inner sliding surface, i.e. the hollow circular cylindrical segment is “integral” with respect to the inner sliding surface. This makes a large rotary angle possible with the joint.

A large rotary angle is, however, not absolutely necessary as a result of the preferred use of the mounting so that the joint head of the at least one joint preferably has two hollow circular cylindrical segments, which are arranged at a defined distance from one another on a corresponding joint head plate so that the axis of rotation of the associated hollow circular cylinder intersects the central longitudinal axis of the mounting.

In order to achieve as great a flexibility of the mounting as possible, the two planes of movement of the joints of the mounting head and of the fastening foot preferably have an angle of 90° to one another.

The means for adjusting and fixing the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile can be provided, for instance, by a set screw, which is passed through an opening in the outer profile and which is tightened when the mounting is appropriately positioned and fixes the inner profile to the outer profile. Such a construction of the means for adjusting and fixing the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile has the disadvantage that access must be had laterally to the mounting for the fixing process, which can be disadvantageous during the installation of the elements. Furthermore, the inner profile must be guided relatively loosely in the outer profile, which makes precise adjustment of the engagement length difficult.

In a preferred embodiment of the mounting, the means for adjusting and fixing the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile is, therefore, preferably implemented such that the inner profile has an axially extending internal screw thread or a component which is axially and rotationally fixed in position and has such an internal screw thread, whereby a screw with a screw head, an adjustment means and an external screw thread engaging in the internal screw thread extends through at least a portion of the outer profile and of the inner profile in the axial direction and wherein the screw head is axially fixed with respect to the outer profile but is rotatable and wherein the adjustment means of the screw is accessible for adjusting the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile.

In a corresponding construction of the means for adjusting and fixing the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile, the adjustment means can be accessed from the front, which considerably simplifies the adjustment and fixing of the mounting and thus enables a rapid installation of the elements. It is further possible with this embodiment to adjust the engagement length very precisely.

In order to ensure a mounting which is structurally simple and may be manufactured particularly economically, the inner profile has the fastening foot and the mounting head is connected to the outer profile in a preferred embodiment and the joint head of the fastening foot is integral with the inner profile.

The embodiment of the mounting referred to above makes it possible for the outer profile, the inner profile including the joint head, the joint socket of the fastening foot and also the joint head and the joint socket of the mounting head to be sections cut from endless profiles in each case, whereby their cut planes extend parallel to the axial direction of the mounting and the cut plane of the outer profile extends transversely to the axial direction of the mounting.

With respect to the endless profiles, the cut planes referred to above always extend transversely to their longitudinal axes, which of course makes the manufacture of the components in a continuous casting process possible for the first time.

If one projects the longitudinal axes of the endless profiles forming the basis of the components, with the exception of the outer profile, into the mounting, this means that the longitudinal axes define an angle of 90° to the longitudinal axis of the mounting.

The cut planes of the outer profile extend—again with respect to the position of the component in the mounting—transversely to the longitudinal direction or axial direction of the mounting. If this axis is now projected into the mounting, this means that this longitudinal axis extends parallel to the longitudinal axis or axial direction of the mounting.

Such a construction of the mounting is rendered possible for the first time by the modular construction since different sections of a number of endless profiles can thus be rotated with respect to one another. Flats or webs transverse to the longitudinal direction of the mounting can be produced in the mounting in this manner even though it consists only of continuously cast sections. Such a construction is particularly advantageous because the components can be manufactured rapidly, economically and in large numbers, which results in a large economic advantage. After separation of the components, the necessary openings must of course still be, for instance, bored, which, however, does not imply any excessive expense with modern machine tools.

The individual components of the mounting can be made of any desired suitable material, whereby the individual materials should be matched to the purpose. If the mounting serves, for instance, to fasten facade elements subjected to the action of the weather, care should be taken that non-rusting materials are used. The screw is preferably made in such a case of stainless steel or high grade steel. In a preferred embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention, the mounting head, the outer profile and the inner profile and also the fastening foot are made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy. The components made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy are light, may be economically manufactured and are insensitive to the effects of the weather.

The mounting is preferably used to connect facade elements or a sub-structure for facade elements. In order to prevent thermal transfer from the sub-structure to the mounting, a preferred embodiment of the mounting has insulation means on the joint socket of the fastening foot which provides thermal insulation between a base surface of the joint socket of the fastening foot and the sub-structure.

In a preferred embodiment of the mounting, a scale is arranged on the inner profile in its longitudinal direction for assistance in the adjustment of the mounting. The scale can, for instance, be embossed in the inner profile or secured to it by adhesive. The scale can be designed such that a region of the scale gives an optical warning of too small an engagement length between the outer and inner profiles. The scale is commonly divided into mm-sections, which indicate, for instance, the length of engagement between the profiles. In one embodiment, the scale can be constructed in the form of a double scale which has, in addition to mm-sections, also information about what forces can be accommodated by the mounting element at what length of engagement.

For the purpose of assisting the adjustment of the joints, in a preferred embodiment of the mounting at least one joint head is provided with a scale, on which the set joint angle can be read off.

In conventional mountings for panelling elements or a panelling element sub-structure, the elements are generally releasably connected to the mounting. The conventional connection ensures that the elements are protected against the effects of the weather but with the conventional mountings one cannot prevent the elements from being willfully removed. In a preferred embodiment of the mounting, the joint socket of the mounting head or the joint head of the mounting head, that is to say the portion of the mounting head to which the elements are connected, has a securing section, by means of which the elements to be connected can be secured to the mounting, whereby the securing section is arranged on the joint socket or the joint head such that the rotatability of the joint socket or the joint head is ensured. The elements are secured against release after attachment to the joint head or the joint socket, whereby access can only be had to the securing element when adjacent elements have been removed or have not yet been installed. Willful removal of the elements is prevented by this feature.

The securing section preferably has a recess, in which a securing element is arranged so as to be movable and to be adjustable by corresponding positioning means. Such a construction of the securing section is particularly simple to operate and may be re-used after demounting the elements. For the purpose of installing the elements, appropriate retaining elements, for instance, of the mountings are introduced into corresponding recesses in the securing sections. As soon as all the retaining elements have been introduced, they and thus the element itself, is secured by movement of the securing elements against removal. The securing elements are then adjusted by means of positioning means so that they cannot unintentionally come free.

When connecting the elements, they are located by means of the mounting. In this connection, it is important, particularly with flat elements of large area, that the elements are precisely aligned with one another. For this purpose, the mountings are fastened to precisely predetermined points on a sub-structure. In order to compensate for a slight discrepancy in the positioning of the mountings or manufacturing tolerances of the elements, the securing element is vertically movable in the recess by means of the positioning means in a preferred embodiment.

In order to further simplify the connection of the elements, a positioning means is associated with the at least one joint head, with which the angle of rotation of the joint head is adjustable. The joint head can thus, for instance, be prevented from slipping, i.e. the angle of rotation changing, during installation. Furthermore, a certain adjustment of the connected elements can be effected by means of the positioning means after the actual installation.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 a is a schematic sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 1 b is a schematic sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention,

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are sectional views of a third exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 2 c is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 3 a is a side view of the third exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b,

FIG. 3 b is a side view of the fourth exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 c,

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are detailed views of the joint head and of the joint socket of the mounting head of the third exemplary embodiment,

FIGS. 4 c and 4 d are detailed views of the joint head and of the joint socket of the mounting head of the fourth exemplary embodiment,

FIGS. 5 a-5 c are detailed views of the inner profile including the joint head of the fastening foot, of the joint socket of the fastening foot and of an insertion element,

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an insertion element,

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a fastening insert,

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b are detailed views of the securing element in accordance with the fourth exemplary embodiment,

FIGS. 9 a-9 c are side and (partial) sectional views of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 10 is a side view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention, and

FIG. 11 is a side view of a seventh exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 1 a is a schematic side view of a first exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention, wherein this view is intended merely to illustrate the general principal of the invention by way of an exemplary mounting head—details of the mounting in accordance with the invention are only shown in part in this view.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a includes an inner profile (20) with a fastening foot (40), this fastening foot (40) being integral with the inner profile (20) (a detailed description of the fastening foot appears in relation to FIGS. 2-5). The longitudinal direction/central axis or the axial direction of the mounting is indicated with the chain dotted line (100), which extends centrally through the entire mounting. The inner profile (20) illustrated in this exemplary embodiment includes no webs or flats, which extend parallel to the sectional plane. All webs or flats extend at right angles to the sectional plane. This construction of the inner profile (20) makes it possible for it to be produced as a section of an endless profile.

The inner profile can be fastened in the vicinity of the fastening foot (40) (by fastening means which are not shown) to a suitable sub-structure. In a region remote from the fastening foot, the inner profile (20) has a threaded region (21, 22). In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, two different types of provision of a screw thread, i.e. two different threaded regions, are illustrated. However, in an embodiment of the mounting which is used, only one of these types of provision of screw thread will be implemented, that is to say depending on the material used and the purpose of the mounting. The screw thread is of course provided over the entire periphery and not merely, as shown in FIG. 1 a, on one half of the mounting.

In the ‘upper’, with respect to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, half of the exemplary embodiment, the screw thread is provided by forming an internal screw thread (21) in the end face of the inner profile remote from the fastening foot, which screw thread is in engagement with an external screw thread (53), extending through the mounting, on a screw (50). After manufacture of the inner profile (20), the internal screw thread (21) is formed in it by an appropriate method.

The internal screw thread is provided in the ‘lower’ half of FIG. 1 a by providing a component with an internal screw thread (22), which is axially and rotationally fixed in position between two webs on the inner profile. The internal screw thread (22) on the component is in engagement with the external screw thread (53) on the screw (50).

The inner profile 20 is partially surrounded by an outer profile (10) in the mounting position shown in FIG. 1 a. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the outer profile (10) is constructed in the form of a continuous rectangular cylinder with open end faces. In other embodiments, the outer profile (10) can, however, also be so constructed that it has a recess in the longitudinal direction in a plane of the wall surface of the cylinder. Such a construction of the cylinder can contribute to a weight reduction of the mounting. The outer profile (10) is so constructed that it can also be produced in the form of a section of an endless profile, whereby the longitudinal direction of such a profile would extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (10) of the mounting.

The depth of engagement between the inner profile (20) and the outer profile (10) is adjusted by means of the screw (50). The screw (50) includes an external screw thread (53), a screw head (51) and an adjustment means (52), by means of which the screw (50) can be rotated, and is axially fixed in position with the screw head (51) in a mounting head fastened to the outer profile (10). The external screw thread (53) on the screw (50) is also in engagement with the internal screw thread (21, 22) provided on the inner profile (20) so that rotational movement of the screw (50) influences the length of engagement between the inner profile (20) and the outer profile (10). In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the adjustment means (52) is arranged in the screw head (51) and has the form of a hexagonal recess.

In order to facilitate the movement of the inner profile (20) within the outer profile (10), the wall thickness of the outer profile can gently decrease between the edges to the interior of the profile.

The screw (50) further includes a retaining means (54), which is connected to the screw (50) at a predetermined position, whereby the set position ensures that the length of engagement between the two profiles cannot be reduced beyond a minimum permissible value. If a certain minimum length of engagement set by the position of the retaining means (54) on the screw (50) is reached—at the maximum extension of the mounting in the longitudinal direction—the retaining means (54) constitutes a stop for the inner profile (20). A further reduction in the length of engagement is then no longer possible.

The mounting head (30) is connected to the outer profile (10) at a connection region (11) of the outer profile (10). This connection is effected by means of a technique known to the expert. The mounting head (30) is, for instance, welded on in the fastening region (11). In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 a, the screw head (51) is axially fixed in position in the mounting head (30), namely between two webs, which extend orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the mounting. In order to be able to access the screw (50) disposed within the mounting head (30), the mounting head (30) has two openings, (36, 37), which are formed in the mounting head (30) after its manufacture.

The mounting head itself has two main components, namely a joint head (32) and a joint socket (33). The joint socket is connected to the outer profile (10) by means known to the expert. The joint head (32) includes a joint head plate (35) and two joint head hollow circular cylindrical segments (34), which are guided in corresponding recesses in the joint socket. A detailed description of the mounting head follows in relation to FIGS. 2-5.

FIG. 1 b is a schematic sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention, whereby this view also is intended only to make the general principal of the invention clear—details of the mounting in accordance with the invention are only shown in part in this view. The sectional plane extends horizontally through the central axis of the mounting so that FIG. 1 b represents a plan view on to this sectional plane.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 b corresponds in many parts to that already described in FIG. 1 a so that it will be primarily the components or their arrangement in the mounting itself, which differ from those in the first exemplary embodiment, which will be discussed below.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 b also includes an outer profile (10) and a fastening foot (40), whereby the fastening foot (40) is not integral with the outer profile (10) but is instead constructed as a separate component. The mounting is connected by means of fastening means (not shown) at the fastening foot (40) to any desired sub-structure. A screw (50) is axially fixed in position in the fastening foot (40) and extends from the fastening foot (40) through the outer profile (10) into a threaded region (21, 22) of an inner profile (20). The length of engagement between the inner profile (20) and the outer profile (10) can be adjusted in this exemplary embodiment also by rotation of the screw (50) but the screw (50) is axially fixed in position, in this exemplary embodiment, not in the mounting head (30) but instead in the fastening foot (40). The mounting head (30) is connected to the inner profile (20) at a fastening region (23) on it and has two openings (36, 37), through which an adjustment means (52) on the screw (50) can be accessed. The screw (50) further includes a retaining means (54), which prevents an excessive reduction in the length of engagement between the profiles, i.e. rotation of the inner profile out of the outer profile. The mounting head (30) includes a joint head (32) and a joint socket (33) in this example also.

In the two exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the mounting has only one joint, that is to say at the mounting head (30). In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the mounting head is constructed so that the joint head is fixed in position on the outer profile.

The following Figures relate to an exemplary embodiment in which not only the mounting head (30) but also the fastening foot (40) have a joint, whereby FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are sectional views of a third exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention. FIG. 2 a is a sectional view of the fastening foot (40). Since the planes of movement of the joints have an angle of 90° to one another in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 a, the mounting head (30) is not shown in section.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the inner profile (20) is integral with the joint head (42) of the fastening foot (40). The component may be produced in its entirety in a continuous casting process because it has no webs parallel the longitudinal axis of the mounting. The joint head (42) of the fastening foot (40) includes two joint head hollow circular cylindrical segments (44), which engage in a corresponding recess in the joint socket (43). The sliding surfaces, which are directed towards the substrate, of the hollow circular cylindrical segments merge into one another and thus constitute a continuous circular cylindrical segment surface. The fastening foot joint head (42) and the fastening foot joint socket (43) are shown in more detail in FIGS. 5 a and 5 c, wherein the joint head is again shown integral with the inner profile (20) in FIG. 5 c.

The joint socket (43) shown in FIG. 5 a is constructed in the form of a rail, over whose entire length two recesses (45) with two respective sliding surfaces extend, in which the hollow circular cylindrical segments (44) of the joint head (42) are or will be guided. For the purpose of assembly, the joint head, i.e. the hollow circular cylindrical segments (44) are slid into one of the open ends of the joint socket (43) to a central position. Since the hollow circular cylindrical segments (44) do not take up the entire depth of the recesses (45) and instead a gap (46) (see FIG. 2 a) remains in each recess, the joint head can be moved in the socket, that is to say upwardly and downwardly with respect to FIG. 2 a. The joint socket further includes two openings (48), by means of which the joint head (42) or the joint head hollow circular cylindrical segments (44) can be fixed in position, for instance with setscrews, as soon as the mounting is located in the correct position, i.e. the joint has adopted the desired angle.

After the joint head (42) has been introduced into the joint socket (43), the joint head is secured against lateral slipping in the rail, namely by introducing an insert element (70) into the rail on each side. The insert elements (70) also have two hollow circular cylindrical elements (72) which, in contrast to the hollow circular cylindrical segments (44) of the joint head (42), completely fill the recesses (45) in the joint socket (43) so that no movement of the inserts is possible.

The insert elements (70) have an opening (71), which is situated above corresponding openings (47) in the fastening rail or the joint socket (43), when the insert elements have been slid into position. In order to connect the mounting to a substrate, appropriate fastening means are introduced through the openings and anchored in a substrate. In order to avoid thermal transfer via the fastening means, the insert elements (70) can be made of a material of low thermal conductivity, for instance a plastic material, whereby care should be taken that the plastic material has an adequate hardness for its purpose.

FIG. 2 b is a sectional view of the mounting head (30). Since the planes of movement of the joints are parallel to the viewing direction in the illustrated embodiment, both the fastening foot and also the mounting head are therefore shown in section.

The mounting head (30) includes a joint socket (33) and joint head (32). A detailed view of the joint socket (33) and of the joint head (32) is shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b. The joint socket shown in FIG. 4 a is substantially C shaped, the two limbs of the ‘C’ being of double-walled construction. The two walls (39 b, 39 c) define a recess (39 a) between them in the form of a hollow circular cylindrical segment and the two opposing surfaces of the walls constitute sliding surfaces for the hollow circular cylindrical segments (34) of the joint head (42). For the purpose of assembly, the hollow circular cylindrical segments (34) of the joint head (32) can be introduced into the recesses (39 a). Since the two hollow circular cylindrical segments (34) of the joint head do not completely fill the recesses, that is to say spaces (38) remain at the 0° position of the joint, the joint head can be moved in the joint socket (see FIG. 2 b). In order to fix the joint at a predetermined angular position, the hollow circular cylindrical segments (34) are fixed in position in recesses (39 a), for instance by setscrews acting on the segments through openings (33 c). The joint socket (33) further has an opening (36), via which access may be had from the front to the adjustment means (52) of the screw (50).

Two formations (33 b) with a U shaped profile are arranged on the side or surface of the joint socket directed towards the mounting. The joint socket is fixed in position in the outer profile by means of the formations (33 b). The outer profile (20) can, for instance, be riveted to at least one of the formations (33 b).

The formations can either be fastened (for instance welded) to the underside of the joint socket or the formations (33 b) can be formed on the joint socket, i.e.

constructed integrally with it. Such a construction of the joint socket (33) has the advantage that the entire component can be produced in a continuous casting process. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 a, excess material must be removed after production with an integral construction. However, the joint socket can also be so constructed that the width of the formations (33 b) corresponds to the entire width of the joint socket (33) so that no removal of material is necessary after manufacture. In such a case, the joint socket projects slightly beyond the outer profile on two sides.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the means for adjusting and fixing the length of engagement of the inner profile (20) in the outer profile (10) is provided, amongst other things, by a screw (50), as was described above. This screw (50) must be axially fixed in position with respect to the outer profile (10). This is achieved in the present exemplary embodiment by the screw being axially fixed in position in the joint socket of the mounting head, which is axially fixed in position with respect to the outer profile (10). The screw passes for this purpose through an opening (81) in a fastening insert (80), which rests via two projections (81) on corresponding projections (33 d) on the formations (33 b). In order to assemble the mounting, the screw (50) is passed through the opening (81) and the fastening insert (80) is pushed on to the projections (33 d) of the formations (33 b) on the joint socket (33). The screw can then be rotated into a corresponding screw thread (22, 21), whereby the screwing-in depth determines the length of engagement of the outer profile (10) in the inner profile (20).

The joint head (32) shown in FIG. 4 b includes a joint head plate (35) with an elongate hole (37), through which the adjusting means (52) of the screw (50) may be reached. Formed on the joint head plate (35) are two hollow circular cylindrical segments (34), which are so constructed that they do not completely fill the corresponding recesses (39 a) in the joint socket. Fastened to the surface or side remote from the joint socket of the joint head are corresponding elements, for instance a facade or a sub-structure for a facade. How this can be effected is described below.

FIG. 3 a is a side view of the third exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. In this view, the two planes of movement of the joints define an angle of 90°. The fixing in position of the joint head (42) of the fastening foot (30) in the joint socket (43) of the fastening foot (40) may also be seen in this view. The joint head (42) is surrounded at the top and the bottom by respective insert elements (70), which hold the joint head in the centre of the joint socket. The alignment shown in FIG. 3 of the mounting, and particularly of the fastening foot, is preferred because, with a vertical arrangement of the joint socket constructed in the form of a track, significantly more forces can be absorbed than if it were horizontally arranged. In order to prevent thermal transport between the sub-structure and the mounting, insulation (60) is additionally arranged (see also FIG. 7) on the surface of the joint socket (43) directed towards the sub-structure. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the insulation has, on its two long edges, two short limbs (63) with guide means, by means of which the insulation is slid onto corresponding guide means on the joint socket (43). The insulation further has two openings (61), through which fastening means (not shown) are or will be passed.

FIG. 2 c is a sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the mounting in accordance with the invention. The planes of movement of the joints are offset by 90° from one another in this exemplary embodiment also so that only the mounting head (300) is shown in section. The fourth exemplary embodiment differs only as regards the mounting head from the second and third exemplary embodiments so that only the mounting head (300) will be described in more detail.

The mounting head again includes a joint head (302) and a joint socket (303), whereby, in distinction to the exemplary embodiments described above, the joint head is fixed in position on the outer profile (10). The joint head, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 4 c, is of substantially D shape in profile, whereby the round portion is constructed as a sliding surface (320), on which the sliding surface (340) of the joint socket (303) comes into engagement, whereby the two sliding surfaces are displaced with respect to one another during adjustment or movement of the joint.

The sliding surface has three openings (322 a, 322 b, 323). The central opening (323) is constructed in the form of an elongate hole, via which an opening (343) in the side remote from the sliding surface of the D-shaped profile can be accessed. The adjustment means of the screw (50) can be accessed via the opening (343).

The two outer openings (322 a, 322 b) are also constructed in the form of elongate holes and the joint socket (303) is fixed in position to the joint head (302) via these openings. The construction in the form of an elongate hole ensures that the joint socket can be moved or pivoted with respect to the joint head and fixing in position is nevertheless possible. In other words, appropriate locating means (not shown) are arranged deeper or higher in the openings (322 a, 322 b), depending upon the angular position of the joint.

Two formations (321) with a U-shaped profile, via which the joint head (302) is fastened to the outer profile (10), are formed on the side of the joint head remote from the sliding surface (320), that is to say on the side directed towards the mounting. Reference is made to the description relating to FIG. 4 a for a detailed description of the function and construction of the formations.

The joint socket (303) associated with the joint head (302) is shown in more detail in FIG. 4 d. The joint socket has a side (330) directed away from the mounting, which is engages by elements to be fastened or to which the elements can be fastened. The lower section, in the drawing, of the joint socket, the actual joint section, has a sliding surface (340), which cooperates with the sliding surface (320) of the joint head. The lower section of the joint socket (303) also has three openings (314 a, 314 b, 315), whereby the central opening of the three openings, the opening (315), is constructed in the form of an elongate hole, via which access may be had through the corresponding openings (323, 343) in the joint head to the adjustment means of the screw (50). The joint socket is fixed in the desired position with respect to the joint head via the two openings (314 a, 314 b) by passing locking means (not shown) through the openings (314 a, 314 b) in the joint socket and the joint head (322 a, 322 b) and adjusting them at an appropriate alignment of the joint.

In an upper section, the joint socket has a securing section (310) with a recess or cavity (311), in which a securing element (312) (not shown in FIG. 4 d) is movably mounted. The recess or cavity is defined by two substantially U shaped formations (317), wherein the limbs of the formations directed towards the sliding surface (340) each have a gap (316), through which a portion of the securing element (312) is passed. The limbs of the formations remote from the sliding surface (340) each have an opening (314 c, 314 d), through which appropriate positioning means (313) (not shown in FIG. 4 d) are passed, by which the securing means can be fixed in position and moved upwardly. The securing element (312) has two limbs (312 b), which can slide on the interrupted limbs of the formations (317) (see FIGS. 8 a and 8 b for a detailed view of the securing element).

The securing section (310) is formed integrally with the remainder of the joint socket (303) in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. This enables manufacture of the joint socket including the securing section in a continuous casting process, whereby necessary gaps and openings can be formed after the separation of the profile into the joint sockets and excess material can be removed after the casting. The recess (311) receiving the securing element (312) need not be formed subsequently but is formed during the continuous casting because the recess extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. In other exemplary embodiments, the securing section can also be made separately and subsequently connected to the joint socket (303). It is also possible merely to connect the formations (317) to the joint socket (303) after it has been continuously cast.

Vertical movability of the securing element (312) can be achieved by the limbs (312 b) of the securing element guided in the cavity or the recess (311) having a smaller height than the recess (311) and thus being vertically movable in it by means of the positioning means (313).

In order to secure the elements to the mounting, appropriate fastening means on the elements are introduced from above into an opening or a gap (314 e) in the securing section. The gap is defined on the one hand by the front surface of the securing section and on the other hand by projections (317 a) on the formations (317).

Whilst introducing the fastening means, the securing element (312 a) is disposed in the recess (311) such that an L-shaped opening (312) in the securing element is so arranged that the fastening means is also introduced into this opening. The fastening means of the mounting are then fixed in position axially with respect to the mounting but they can be removed upwardly out of the securing section. In order to prevent this, the securing element is moved appropriately on the limbs of the formations so that the fastening means move into the L-shaped opening and finally removal in the upward direction is prevented by it.

FIG. 3 b finally shows the fourth exemplary embodiment in side view. In this drawing, only the mounting head is varied with respect to FIG. 3 a—the remaining elements correspond.

FIG. 3 b shows the preferred arrangement of the corresponding mounting, i.e. the mounting head is preferably arranged so that the securing section is directed upwardly. It is possible in this manner to combine vertical adjustability with the securing function.

FIGS. 9 a-9 c are a side and (partial) sectional views of a fifth exemplary embodiment. In this and the subsequent exemplary embodiments, only the mounting heads have been altered so that the description will be limited to them.

The mounting head (400) is of elongate construction and on its longitudinal edges has two guide means (440 a, 440 b) formed as round grooves. Two mounting head extensions (420 a, 420 b) are mounted so as to be movable and optionally fixable in position in the round grooves by means of corresponding formations (430 a, 430 b). Each mounting head extension includes a joint with a joint head (402 a, 402 c) and a joint socket (403 a, 403 c), whereby in this case the joints are constructed as hinge joints.

The mounting head itself also includes two joints with respective joint heads (402 b, 402 d) and joint sockets (403 b, 403 d), whereby in this case the joint sockets are connected together, i.e. constitute a continuous joint socket.

Associated with the joint heads are respective positioning means (405 a, 405 b, 405 c, 405 d), by means of which the rotary angles of the joints can be fixed. The joint heads further include an opening (404 a, 404 b, 404 c, 404 d). In order to further increase the flexibility of the mounting, a further joint head (407) can be fastened to each of the joint heads with an adjusting means (406), on which a further mounting head is arranged via a corresponding joint socket. This is visible in FIG. 9 c only for one joint but each of the joints can be extended in this manner. Such an extension increases the flexibility because, on the one hand, the height of the actual mounting head (408), i.e. the one on which the element is fastened, and its angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the mounting can be adjusted (by way of the connection of the two joint heads to one another).

FIG. 10 is a view of a sixth exemplary embodiment, in which the mounting head (600) is of similar construction. It is again elongate and formed on its longitudinal edges are two guide means (540 b, 540 c) in the form of round grooves. Four mounting head extensions (520 a, 520 b, 520 c, 520 d) are mounted movably and optionally fixedly in the round grooves by way of corresponding formations (530 a, 530 b, 530 c, 530 d), whereby two mounting head extensions are arranged in this exemplary embodiment in each guide means. Each mounting head extension includes a joint with a joint head (502 a, 502 b, 502 c, 502 d) and a joint socket (503 a, 503 b, 503 c, 503 d).

Associated with the joint heads are respective positioning means (505 a, 505 b, 505 c, 505 d) by means of which the rotational angle can be fixed. The joint heads further include an opening (504 a, 504 b, 504 c, 504 d). The joint heads can be extended as in the preceding exemplary embodiment in this exemplary embodiment also.

FIG. 11 is a view of a seventh exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the elongate mounting head (600) is curved (convex) and arranged at opposite ends are respective joints with a joint head (602 a, 602 b) and a joint socket (603 a, 603 b). Positioning means (605 a, 605 b) serve to adjust the joint heads, which are each provided with an opening (604 a, 604 b) and can be correspondingly extended (see above). In another exemplary embodiment a concave or any other desired curvature of the mounting head is also possible.

The present invention has been described with reference to four exemplary embodiments, whereby features of the invention which are in part different in the examples have been described in particular detail. In other exemplary embodiments, the different features can also be combined in a different manner without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A mounting for panelling elements or a sub-structure for panelling elements including an inner profile, which is mounted in an outer profile so as to be rotationally stationary, radially fixed and axially movable with respect to it, wherein one of the profiles includes a fastening foot and the other profile includes a mounting head, wherein the profiles, which engage within one another, extend in the axial direction between the fastening foot and the mounting head such that the distance between the fastening foot and the mounting head is determined by the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile and the length of the engagement is adjustable, wherein means for adjusting and fixing the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile are connected to the inner profile and to the outer profile, characterised in that the mounting head or the fastening foot includes at least one joint, which has a joint head and a joint socket, wherein the joint head and/or the joint socket has at least one sliding surface in the form of a circular cylindrical segment.
 19. A mounting as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the mounting head and the fastening foot include at least one joint, which is movable in a plane and has a respective joint head and a respective joint socket, wherein the joint heads and/or the joint sockets have at least one sliding surface in the form of a circular cylindrical segment.
 20. A mounting as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the mounting head has a guide means on at least one side, in which at least one mounting head extension is movably mounted via a formation, wherein the mounting head extension includes at least one joint, which has a joint head and a joint socket, wherein the joint head and/or the joint socket has at least one sliding surface in the form of a circular cylindrical segment.
 21. A mounting as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the joint head and the corresponding joint socket of the at least one joint have a sliding surface in the form of a circular cylindrical segment, wherein the longitudinal rotational axis of the circular cylinders corresponding to the circular cylindrical segments coincide and preferably intersect the longitudinal axis of the mounting.
 22. A mounting as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the joint head of at least one joint has a hollow circular cylindrical segment with an inner and an outer sliding surface.
 23. A mounting as claimed in claim 22, characterised in that the longitudinal rotary axis of the hollow circular cylinder corresponding to the hollow circular cylindrical segment intersects the central longitudinal axis of the mounting or extends orthogonally to it.
 24. A mounting as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the joint head of at least one joint has two hollow circular cylindrical segments, which are arranged at a defined spacing from one another on a corresponding joint head plate such that the longitudinal rotary axis of the associated hollow circular cylinder intersects the central longitudinal axis of the mounting or extends orthogonally to it.
 25. A mounting as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that the planes of movement of the at least one joint of the joint head and of the at least one joint of the joint socket define an angle of 90°.
 26. A mounting as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the means for adjusting and fixing the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile are implemented such that the inner profile has an internal screw thread extending in the axial direction or an axially and rotationally fixed component affording such an internal screw thread, whereby a screw with a screw head, an adjustment means and an external screw thread engaging in the internal screw thread extends through at least a portion of the outer profile and of the inner profile in the axial direction and whereby the screw head is axially fixed with respect to the outer profile but is rotatable and wherein access may be had to the adjustment means of the screw for adjusting the length of the engagement of the inner profile in the outer profile.
 27. A mounting as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the inner profile affords the fastening foot and the mounting head is fastened to the outer profile and that the joint head of the fastening foot is integral with the inner profile.
 28. A mounting as claimed in claim 27, characterised in that the outer profile, the inner profile including the joint head, the joint socket of the fastening foot and the joint head and the joint socket of the mounting head, are each sections cut from endless profiles, wherein their cut planes extend parallel to the axial direction of the mounting and the cut plane of the outer profile extends transversely to the axial direction of the mounting.
 29. A mounting as claimed in claim 18 wherein the mounting head, the outer profile and the inner profile and the fastening foot are made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy.
 30. A mounting as claimed in claims 18, characterised in that arranged on the joint socket of the fastening foot there is insulating means such that thermal insulation is provided between a base surface of the joint socket of the fastening foot and a sub-structure.
 31. A mounting as claimed in claims 18, characterised in that the joint socket of the mounting head or the joint socket of the mounting head includes a securing section, by means of which elements to be fastened to the mounting can be secured, wherein the securing section is arranged on the joint socket or the joint head such that the rotatability of the joint socket or the joint head is ensured.
 32. A mounting as claimed in claim 31, characterised in that the securing section affords a recess, in which a securing element is arranged so as to be movable and to be adjustable by means of appropriate positioning means.
 33. A mounting as claimed in claim 32, characterised in that a securing element is vertically movable in the recess by means of positioning means.
 34. A mounting as claimed in claim 20, characterised in that associated with the at least one joint head there is positioning means, with which the rotary angle of the joint head is adjustable. 